Thursday, April 28, 2011

Hey there everyone, the first round of the NFL Draft is finally upon us! I was invited by Phil from I Hate JJ Redick to join in their live Draft Chat during the first round of the draft. It's open to anyone, so feel free to join in! To make it easier, here's the chatbox:

On the eve of the draft, we're going to throw our hat out into the ring and put together a mock draft. You really shouldn't put much stock in anyone's mock draft. Generally speaking, if someone can predict 1/3 of the picks correctly, they're a genius. It's almost impossible to predict trades, but trades are part of the reality of the draft, so we're going to include them in our mock.

Cam Newton (QB-Auburn)

Pressure to win right away is too much to pass on a quarterback. He might not be the best player in the draft, but Clausen didn't have a good year last year.

Marcell Dareus (DT-Alabama)

Denver is switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 and needs the personnel along the D-line. They were 31st in rush defense last season.

Von Miller (LB-Texas A&M)

Somewhat of a trendy pick now, but Buffalo needs playmakers that will put butts in the seats. Last year they took CJ Spiller for that reason. This year they get a playmaker on defense.

AJ Green (WR-Georgia)

Considered by many the best prospect in the draft, the Bengals take the guy they think is the best player on the board.

Patrick Peterson (CB-LSU)

For the 3rd consecutive year, the player considered the "best player in the draft" falls to #5. Arizona lucks out and gets the best player available.

Robert Quinn (DE-North Carolina)

The Browns need almost an entirely new front 7 as they switch to a 4-3 defense. Quinn gives them a pass rusher to build around.

Blaine Gabbert (QB-Missouri)

Jim Harbaugh cut his teeth at Stanford developing quarterbacks. He needs a franchise signal-caller to build around in San Francisco.

Jake Locker (QB-Washington)

A bit of a reach here, but with Vince Young on his way out of town, the Titans need a quarterback.

[TRADE: Dallas trades with New England]

Cameron Jordan (DE-California)

The Patriots still need playmakers in their front 7 and they've shown that they are willing to wheel and deal on draft day.

[TRADE: Washington trades with St Louis]

Julio Jones (WR-Alabama)

Sam Bradford finally gets a big-time target to throw to.

Prince Amukamara (CB-Nebraska)

Houston was dead last in the league in pass defense and need to improve their secondary.

Ryan Mallett (QB-Arkansas)

Under Ziggy Wilf, the Vikings have overlooked character issues and brought in guys based on talent. Mallett is a 1st round talent with a 7th round attitude.

Da'Quan Bowers (DE-Clemson)

In almost an ideal scenario for the Lions, a guy that was being discussed as a Top 5 prospect falls to them.

[Trade: St Louis trades with Washington]

Nick Fairley (DT-Auburn)

The Albert Haynesworth experiment failed, but the Redskins are also known for doing asinine things during the draft.

[TRADE: Miami trades with San Diego]

Aldon Smith (DE-Missouri)

A great scenario for San Diego, one of the few teams in the draft with a lot of ammo to trade up, they are able to fill the need vacated by Roid Rage Merriman.

JJ Watt (DE-Wisconsin)

For the 3rd time in 4 years, the Jags use their first round pick on a defensive lineman, which they need after finishing 31st in the league in sacks.

[Trade: New England trades with Dallas]

Tyron Smith (OT-USC)

An ideal scenario for the Cowboys. They trade down and still land the top tackle in the draft.

[TRADE: San Diego trades with Miami]

Mark Ingram (RB-Alabama)

An ideal situation for the Phins: they are able to trade down and get a 3rd round pick and still land Ingram. With both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams set to hit free agency, the Dolphins land the top RB in the draft.

[TRADE: New York trades with Pittsburgh]

Mike Pouncey (G-Florida)

Boom.

Jimmy Smith (CB-Colorado)

With Aqib Talib's trouble with the law, signs are pointing to Tampa parting ways with Talib so they look for a corner in the draft.

Phil Taylor (NT-Baylor)

Scott Pioli has shown he doesn't have a problem reaching for players that fit what the team needs. Taylor plugs the middle of their 3-4 defense.

Anthony Costanzo (OT-Boston College)

The Colts line has gone downhill in recent years, and finally they do something to protect Peyton.

Gabe Carimi (OT-Wisconsin)

The run on tackles happens in the early 20s of the draft and Philly gets some more protection for Mike Vick.

Ryan Kerrigan (DE-Purdue)

The Saints defense had a lot of troubles tackling last season, and this came to a head in their playoff loss to Seattle where Marshawn Lynch just ran over their whole defense. Kerrigan gives them depth along the D-line.

Corey Liuget (DT-Illinois)

Seattle was 21st in rush defense last year and Liuget gives them a player in the middle of the defense that could start right away.

Muhammad Wilkerson (DT-Temple)

The Ravens add another big body to their defensive front to pair with Haloti Ngata for a truly scary combo.

Jabaal Sheard (DE-Pittsburgh)

An ideal situation for the Falcons where they are able to land a pass rusher and get someone who has been a fast riser over the last few weeks.

Derek Sherrod (OT-Mississippi State)

The Patriots address their defensive front with Cameron Jordan early then grab Sherrod at the bottom of the first round.

Nate Solder (OT-Colorado)

Jay Cutler gets sacked way too much. Period.

Akeem Ayers (OLB-UCLA)

The Jets finally get the chance to add a pass rusher to make up for their miss on Vernon Gholston.

Danny Watkins (G-Baylor)

The Giants add another big body up front to help protect Eli.

Mason Foster (LB-Wisconsin)

The Packers add a tackling machine to the middle of their already dangerous defense.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

With the calendar turning to April, it means only one thing: the NFL Draft is fast approaching. This year, the draft is going to have a little different feel than drafts in years past, as the lockout has some additional rules that apply to the draft. The first, and probably most important facet of the lockout is that it has suspended free agency. Due to the lack of Free Agency, veterans whose contracts have expired are still with their current team until the lockout ends. Therefore, players like Ike Taylor are up in the air right now. Obviously, we would love for the Steelers to re-sign Ike. We're of the opinion that Ike is one of the top 10 corners in the league, and he should be the top priority for the Steelers once the Free Agency period begins.

Throughout the day today, we're going to take a look at the positions the Steelers most need in the draft, and throw out a few potential options for who they might draft. Here we take a look at the special teams.

Kicker

Under Contract: none

Free Agents: Shaun Suisham

The Steelers part ways with Jeff Reed last year and picked up Shaun Suisham in the middle of the year. Shuisham helped out when we needed it and delivered some clutch kicks, including the game in Buffalo where he converted 5 field goals of over 40 yards. The Steelers kicker situation is somewhat up in the air going into the draft, and we really wouldn't be surprised to see them take a shot at a kicker in the 6th or 7th round. Heck, they picked Sepulveda in the 4th, so a kicker in the 5th round might even be a possibility. There are 2 kickers worth drafting this year, Alex Henery (Nebraska) and Kai Forbath (UCLA). The one reason I like Henery over Forbath is that kicking in Southern California and kicking at Heinz Field in December are two completely different things. On the other hand, kicking on the windy plains of Nebraska in the winter is probably good preparation for Heinz Field. Also, Henery hit a 57-yarder this year against Colorado with under 2 minutes to go in the game. He has a monster leg.

Liklihood of Drafting a Kicker: Medium

Good fits for what the Steelers need: Alex Henery (Nebraska), Kai Forbath (UCLA)

Punter

Under Contract: none

Free Agents: Daniel Sepulveda, Jeremy Kapinos

The Steelers spent a 4th round pick on Daniel Sepulveda in 2007 and he has battled multiple ACL injuries throughout his career. The Steelers have reached the Super Bowl 3 times with Chris Gardocki, Mitch Berger, and Jeremy Kapinos punting. This isn't to say that Sepulveda isn't valuable to the team. He is, and we would love to see him re-signed. The Steelers have been able to find punters in free agency, so it isn't likely they draft one tomorrow.

Liklihood of Drafting a Punter: Slim-to-none

Good fits for what the Steelers need: Ryan Donahue (Iowa)

Long Snapper

Under Contract: none

Free Agents: Greg Warren

Long snapper might be one of the most under-rated positions on the team. We saw this in 2008 when Warren was hurt against the Giants and James Harrison filled in and snapped the ball out of the end zone. Even though Warren is a free agent, the Steelers won't spend a draft pick on a long snapper. If they can't re-sign Warren, they'll likely look for a new long snapper in free agency.

With the calendar turning to April, it means only one thing: the NFL Draft is fast approaching. This year, the draft is going to have a little different feel than drafts in years past, as the lockout has some additional rules that apply to the draft. The first, and probably most important facet of the lockout is that it has suspended free agency. Due to the lack of Free Agency, veterans whose contracts have expired are still with their current team until the lockout ends. Therefore, players like Ike Taylor are up in the air right now. Obviously, we would love for the Steelers to re-sign Ike. We're of the opinion that Ike is one of the top 10 corners in the league, and he should be the top priority for the Steelers once the Free Agency period begins.

Our friends over at Steelers Lounge have done a great job exploring the dilemma the Steelers currently face. Check out their posts on the Draft. In a nutshell, it boils down to this: with no free agency before the draft, there is no certainty that Ike Taylor will return. Given that, do the Steelers take a cornerback in the first round of the draft? However, in light of the fact that Dick LeBeau's defensive scheme is one of the most complex in the league, you almost never see rookies start on defense. If you want a rookie that you can plug in and start right away, the only place with a real hole is the offensive line.

Throughout the day today, we're going to take a look at the positions the Steelers most need in the draft, and throw out a few potential options for who they might draft. Here we take a look at the defense.

Defensive End

Under Contract: Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel, Ziggy Hood

Free Agents: Nick Eason

When Aaron Smith went down with a torn biceps in the Dolphins game, it looked like the run defense was going to return to its '07 form when teams could run all over them. However, Ziggy Hood stepped in and plugged the gap, proving that he was ready to step in when Aaron Smith decides to retire. Brett Keisel had the best year of his career last year. However, Ziggy is the only guy on the defensive line under 30 years old and the Steelers need to add some youth and depth to the unit to prepare for the eventuality that these guys are going to need replaced sooner rather than later. While Ziggy was a first round pick, both Aaron Smith and the Diesel were late-round picks. It's possible the Steelers roll the dice on a lineman in the first round like Cameron Heyward (Ohio St) or Adrian Clayborn (Iowa) or wait until later in the draft and try to land a long-term project player.

Much like the defensive end situation, all of the nose tackles except McLendon (who spent half of last year on the practice squad) are over 30 years old. Hampton is at the tail end of his career and a replacement will need to be found soon. Phil Taylor (Baylor) and Kenrick Ellis (Hampton), the top two nose tackles in the draft, both have character concerns. Taylor was kicked off the Penn State team but seems to have turned things around at Baylor. Similarly, Ellis was dismissed from South Carolina. The Steelers don't usually take risks on players with character issues, so it wasn't surprising to see them bring Taylor and Ellis in for pre-draft interviews to get a better sense of these guys. The draft isn't very deep at nose tackle, but if the Steelers aren't willing to invest a pick in guys with character issues, they may wait until next year to add depth here.

The Steelers spent two draft picks on outside linebackers last year, Jason Worlids from Virginia Tech and Thaddeus Gibson from Ohio St. Gibson didn't make the 53-man roster then was picked up by the 49ers, leaving Worlids as the only reserve OLB during the season. Luckily, Harrison and Woodley avoided injury for the most part. Worlids did step in during the Miami game and came up with a huge sack at the end of the game, but he is still very raw and is learning the defense. The Steelers could add some depth here, but they might have more pressing needs to address.

Former 1st round pick Lawrence Timmons has blossomed into one of the best inside linebackers in the league and was the unsung hero of the Steelers defense last year. The Steelers brought back Larry Foote to start grooming him as the future replacement for James Farrior when Potsie decides to hang it up. Keyaron Fox is the special teams captain and was a hit-and-miss player last year. He is beastly in run defense but took way too many penalties on special teams, especially for the captain of the unit. Sylvester was drafted last year and has earned his stripes on special teams. With all this depth, it's unlikely the Steelers will draft an inside linebacker, but their history of choosing the best player available makes it an option if someone high on their draft board falls.

With Ike Taylor set to become a free agent, the Steelers need to add some depth at corner in the event that they aren't able to re-sign Ike. Steelers fans have been split on Ike for most of his career, but in our mind there isn't any doubt that the Steelers need to prioritize his contract once the lockout ends. Ike faces off against the #1 receiver for the other team week after week and usually comes out on top. He might not be a complete "shut down" corner in the likes of Asomugha or Revis, but he's certainly one of the top 10 corners in the league and doesn't shy away from any challenge. The Steelers aren't going to be able to land either of the top 2 corners in the draft (LSU's Patrick Peterson or Nebraska's Prince Amukamura) but they might have a shot at one of the second-level corners, either Colorado's Jimmy Smith or Texas' Aaron Williams. Some scouts think Williams might have a future at safety, which could make him a desirable pick given that Ryan Clark turns 32 this year. The guys from Steelers Depot put together a list of reasons why Williams might be the pick. Remember, Ike was a converted safety when the Steelers picked him. In the second round, I really like Ras-I Dowling from Virginia if he drops to the Steelers at #63.

On the surface, Safety might not seem like much of a need for the Steelers. When Troy is on, he's the best safety in the game, period. That was proven by him winning Defensive Player of the Year last year even though he missed 3 games due to injury. Clark will turn 32 this year and doesn't have a lot of time left. Mundy is a free agent this year, and while we like him for being a local guy, he is somewhat of a liability in pass coverage. The Steelers could use a young guy here to groom as the replacement for Clark at Free Safety and to step in as a backup/special teamer in the meantime. Don't be surprised if they draft Aaron Williams in the first round as a CB with the idea of trying him out at safety later in his career.

With the calendar turning to April, it means only one thing: the NFL Draft is fast approaching. This year, the draft is going to have a little different feel than drafts in years past, as the lockout has some additional rules that apply to the draft. The first, and probably most important facet of the lockout is that it has suspended free agency. Due to the lack of Free Agency, veterans whose contracts have expired are still with their current team until the lockout ends. Therefore, players like Ike Taylor are up in the air right now. Obviously, we would love for the Steelers to re-sign Ike. We're of the opinion that Ike is one of the top 10 corners in the league, and he should be the top priority for the Steelers once the Free Agency period begins.

Our friends over at Steelers Lounge have done a great job exploring the dilemma the Steelers currently face. Check out their posts on the Draft. In a nutshell, it boils down to this: with no free agency before the draft, there is no certainty that Ike Taylor will return. Given that, do the Steelers take a cornerback in the first round of the draft? However, in light of the fact that Dick LeBeau's defensive scheme is one of the most complex in the league, you almost never see rookies start on defense. If you want a rookie that you can plug in and start right away, the only place with a real hole is the offensive line.

Throughout the day today, we're going to take a look at the positions the Steelers most need in the draft, and throw out a few potential options for who they might draft. Here we take a look at the offense.

Quarterback

Under Contract: Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich

Free Agents: Dennis Dixon

As Steelers fans, we are fortunate enough to have a franchise quarterback on our roster. Ben Roethlisberger is 29 years old, in the prime of his career, and has already been to the Super Bowl 3 times, bringing 2 Lombardi Trophies home to Pittsburgh. Leftwich is a capable short-term backup, but Dennis Dixon is the backup of the future. It isn't likely Dixon will garner much interest in the free agent market and the Steelers have invested so much in him that it's likely they'll put some effort into re-signing Dixon rather than drafting a quarterback. If they do draft one, it will be more of the "long-term project" type that they would hope to groom over the next few years into Ben's backup.

One of the hot topics lately around the Steelers blogosphere has been whether or not Mendenhall is headed down the same path that Fast Willie Parker did, where the Steelers over-ran him and the wheels fell off early. We've been saying since lasst year that we would like to see Isaac Redman get more carries to help Mendenhall shoulder the load. Dwyer showed some flashes in the preseason last year, and he could develop into a bulldozing short yardage back. If the Steelers don't re-sign Moore, they'll be in the market for a 3rd down back. If the Steelers draft a back, they'll be looking for one with speed and good hands that can catch out of the backfield and block in pass protection. Of course, we're still hoping that the Bruce Arians might add a blocking back to the offense, but that doesn't seem likely.

The Steelers have some great depth in the Wide Receiving corps, with Manny Sanders and Antonio Brown moving up into the #3 and #4 roles respectively by the end of the season. The team will probably still keep Randle El as a veteran backup, but the writing might be on the wall for Limas Sweed and Arnaz Battle. The Steelers may look to the later rounds of the draft to add depth to the WR position. Given recent history, the Steelers look for 2 things in a WR: speed and good hands. Of course, we would love to see them snag a tall, physical receiver with great hands, like Boise State's Austin Pettis. Also, don't sleep on a guy like Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor. He might enter the draft as a QB, but his skills scream "Antwaan Randle El" prototype.

Matt Spaeth had the opportunity to prove himself last year as a reliable #2 tight end and, quite literally on a few occasions, dropped the ball. Heath Miller is still one of the best tight ends in the league and David Johnson has turned into a reliable blocker. The problem is, Speath doesn't have reliable hands and isn't a great blocker. Someone like Wisconsin's Lance Kendricks might be a great fit.

The Steelers filled a need in the middle of the offensive line last year in the draft, and this might be the perfect year to fill a hole on the outside of the line. Right Tackle has been a need for a long time, particularly in pass protection. Willie Colon and Flozell Adams both were good run blockers but liabilities in pass pro. With the crop of first-round talent at the tackle position this year, where there are no Top-15 talents but 5-6 capable of being taken in the top 32, the Steelers could be in prime position to grab one of these guys and turn them into the anchor of the right side of the line.

The one position on the offensive side of the ball where the Steelers lack depth is at Guard. They started 4 different players at guard over the course of last year, and two of them (Essex & Legursky) are pending free agents. Essex has the versatility to play guard or tackle while Legursky can play guard or center. However, the Steelers still lack a powerful run-blocking mow-the-way guard on the roster.

Assuming Maurkice Pouncey's injury heals, the Steelers will have absolutely no need for a starting center for the next 10 years. Yeah, Pouncey is that good. However, we do need a guy who can back him up if he goes down (in the event that Bronco Legursky signs elsewhere). Legursky is the ideal candidate for the role, as he can play both center and guard, and do them both well. With Pouncey on the roster, don't expect the Steelers to take a center in the Draft.

As the clock ticks closer to the NFL Draft on April 28-30, we'll be doing our best to preview the team needs of all 32 teams to give you all an outlook on what to expect come draft day. Of course, there are no guarantees with things like mock drafts (even though they are fun to do) so we did our best to get some insight from bloggers/fans of other teams. Today we take a look at the AFC East. Our friends Phil from I Hate JJ Redick and Aaron from Draft Breakdown were cool enough to help us out with some inside perspective on their team needs.

For reference, we compiled the draft picks each team currently has. Compensatory picks are listed in parentheses.

2010 Record: 12-4

AFC North Champion, Lost Super Bowl XLV to Green Bay

Draft Picks: 31, 63, 95, 128, 162, 196, 232

We'll be posting previews for the Steelers offense, defense, and special teams later today. Stay tuned.

2010 Record: 12-4

Lost in Divisional Round to Pittsburgh

Draft Picks: 26, 58, 90, 123, (164), (165), 180, 191, 225

The Ravens brought in Anquan Boldin to be Joe Flacco's #1 man last year then he did a disappearing act in the playoffs. A lot of people out there have projected that the Ravens will target a receiver early in the draft, particularly one that can stretch the field and give Boldin room to operate underneath. The Ravens also need help along the offensive line and would love to land an interior lineman early in the draft. The Ravens are still thin in the secondary, particularly at corner, and this showed last year as they finished 21st in the league in pass defense. More surprisingly, the Ravens finished 29th in the league in sacks. Last year's first round pick OLB Sergio Kindle's future is still up in the air after being injured in the offseason last year so the Ravens may look for another pass rusher at some point as well.

Usually, we try not to associate ourselves much with Ravens fans, but our friend Phil from I Hate JJ Redick is the exception. Not only was his blog voted the best Maryland Sports blog, but they cover just about every sport from Baseball to Wrestling. Check them out on Twitter @iHateJJRedick

1. What are the biggest needs Baltimore has entering the draft?

Some people might say offensive line or cornerback but the Ravens will never get past the Steelers in the playoffs without a pass rushing DE/OLB. Without putting pressure on Big Ben he will just pick us apart like he does every year. Unfortunately, most if not all the big name DE/OLB will be off the board by the 26th pick so they will have to get creative. If Muhammad Wilkerson is there I think they take him. Quinn Sturdivant is a guy I like in Round 3 if they go in a different direction in rounds 1 and 2. A good Ravens draft would get the team new starters at CB, OL, and DL and it the late round depth at RB, WR, QB. Surprisngly the Ravens have alot of holes despite a strong 2010 season and with their championship window likely closing they need guys to contribute right away, something they didn't get from their 2010 draft class.

2. Do you think Baltimore will address those needs in the draft or wait for free agency?

Since you don't know when free agenecy will happen I would think most important needs will be addressed via the draft.

3. What players would you like to see the Ravens target in the draft?

I really hope they address the receiving corp in this draft and Torrey Smith & Titus Young are two guys I really like. Either way I hope they bring in someone to stretch the field and compliment possession receivers like Boldin and Mason. At offensive line I love Derek Sherrod and if they trade back I like Ben Ijalana as a versatile guy that can play multiple positions. Muhammad Wilkerson would be a great 1st round selection if he falls to them.

2010 Record: 5-11

Draft Picks: 6, 37, 70, 102, 137, 168, 170, (248)

After Mike Holmgren cleaned house in Cleveland he brought in Pat Shurmur as the new coach. It looks like the Browns will be converting to a 4-3 defense after the Shaun Rogers experiment failed at nose tackle. The Browns need help all over the field, seemingly at every position except running back. If the new coaches feel that Colt McCoy is their guy at quarterback, then I guess the Browns have something there too. If McCoy is the guy, he needs someone with reliable hands to throw to and some more linemen in front of him to block. On defense, the Browns have two decent corners in last year's first round pick Joe Haden and Eric Wright and an up-and-coming safety in TJ Ward. The problem is in the front seven where they basically need 7 new starters.

Our buddy Aaron from our favorite draft website, Draft Breakdown, gave us an in-depth analysis of what the Browns are looking for on draft day. If you have any questions about the draft at all, related to the Browns or any other team, hit him up on twitter @AaronAloysius

1. What are the biggest needs Cleveland has entering the draft?

The Browns' biggest needs are on the defensive line and at wide receiver. By switching to a 4-3 defense, the team opened up gaping holes at both defensive end and tackle; Ahtyba Rubin may be their only credible starter. They need a disruptive 3-technique to complement Rubin's stout play at the point of attack, as well as a pair of ends who can consistently get after the quarterback. Third year man Marcus Benard could provide some pressure, but he's better off in a situational role.

In addition, the team needs a lot of help at wide receiver. Not since Braylon Edwards' beastly '07 season has the team had a legit #1 wide receiver. At this point, even a reliable possession WR would be an upgrade over Massaquoi and Robiskie, but McCoy would benefit greatly from having a big target who can make plays downfield. Otherwise, his below average vertical accuracy could hold back the Browns' offense.

Also, the team could use upgrades in the secondary and at offensive tackle. With Mangini gone, Abe Elam's probably done in Cleveland, and Sheldon Brown looked eminently beatable late in the season. Perhaps the best solution would be to draft a corner and move Brown back to free safety.

Tom Heckert has expressed confidence in right tackle Tony Pashos, but the aging and injury-prone lineman looked mediocre at best in limited action last fall. Heckert's comments probably are a smokescreen; the team wanted Rodger Saffold last year and very well could target an offensive tackle in the second of third round.

2. Do you think Cleveland will address those needs in the draft or wait for free agency?

The team most likely won't be able to add three starting-caliber defensive linemen in the draft; they'll go with a hodgepodge of rookies and FA's. Former Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards should appeal to the club, as could some of the players Heckert was involved in drafting in Philly. Juqua Parker and Brodrick Bunkley may be trade targets for the club.

While the team may bolster its receiver corps with a vet or two, the better option would be to add a young stud who can become Colt's long-term go-to guy. Perhaps the team will look at Sidney Rice or some of the receivers that Shurmur coached in St. Louis, but AJ Green would be a considerably better option for the club.

It's hard to say whether the team will manage to draft rookie starting DBs or an OT. I suspect Falcons offensive lineman Tyson Clabo will appeal to them, should the team not come away with an early round stud.

3. What players would you like to see the Browns target in the draft?

AJ Green is my #1 rated prospect in the entire draft, so it's no surprise that I'd love to see him in a Browns uni. His sure hands would be a nice departure from what we've seen recently in Cleveland, and his ability to go up and fight for jump balls would prove valuable whenever Colt chucks one of his floating deep balls.

Also, I'd love to see a pair of LSU products in Cleveland: Drake Nevis and Kelvin Sheppard. Nevis is an excellent penetrating defensive tackle who was dominant at times in the SEC, but his lack of ideal size will push him down draft boards. It's possible that he'll be there when the Browns pick in the third round, which would be a tremendous value pick: he could come in and start right away as the team's three-technique.

Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard would be a bit of a luxury pick, given that the team already has its starting three in D'Qwell Jackson, Chris Gocong, and Scott Fujita. However, those three guys have missed a combined 35 games in the last two seasons, so having a quality backup in Sheppard would be ideal. He's better than D'Qwell at meeting and greeting blockers, and he possesses better range than Gocong. It's possible that he could impress in the pre-season and unseat one of those guys as a starter.

I had the opportunity this year to attend the East-West Shrine Game practices, where I became smitten with Richmond cornerback Justin Rogers. The small but feisty corner possesses excellent ball skills, as well as good kick return/special teams ability. He could make the team based on specials alone, and his instincts could earn him some rookie PT as a nickel corner.

2010 Record: 4-12

Draft Picks: 4, 35, 66, 101, 134, 167, 207, (246)

In a year when some of the "experts" out there were predicting big things from a Bengals offense that added TO to the OchoStinko disaster. Now, with both of their contracts set to expire, it seems as though the Bengals might part ways with both and start anew. But a bigger problem exists in quarterback Carson Palmer who swore he would not come back and play for the Bengals. Can Cincinnati afford to call his bluff and not draft a quarterback? Can they risk starting Jordan Palmer or Dan LeFevour on opening day? On one hand, Mike Brown and company are dumb enough that they didn't trade Carson for draft picks while they could and now they might risk having to start the season with one of the aforementioned signal-callers. On the other hand, they might just cut the cord with Palmer and use their 4th overall pick on one of the top quarterbacks in the draft that they could build their offense around. The Bengals have never shied away from guys with character issues, and their needs along the defensive line make us think that Nick Fairley (DT-Auburn) could be a possibility as well.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

As the clock ticks closer to the NFL Draft on April 28-30, we'll be doing our best to preview the team needs of all 32 teams to give you all an outlook on what to expect come draft day. Of course, there are no guarantees with things like mock drafts (even though they are fun to do) so we did our best to get some insight from bloggers/fans of other teams. Today we take a look at the AFC West. Our friend Brandon from BroncosBlog.com was cool enough to help us out with some inside perspective on their team needs.

For reference, we compiled the draft picks each team currently has. Compensatory picks are listed in parentheses.

2010 Record: 10-6

AFC West Champion, Lost to Baltimore in Wild Card Round

Draft Picks: 21, 55, 86, 118, 135, 140, (199), 223

Kansas City posted the best turnaround in the league last year, going from finishing last in the AFC West to winning the division and making the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Chiefs won based on a strong running game with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. Rookie Dexter McCluster provided a spark in the return game and their young secondary played well above their years. Dwayne Bowe had a second half of the year that vaulted him from "draft bust" category to some considering him one of the top receivers in the league. The Chiefs still need help in the receiving department and on the defensive front. One of the "hot" names for the Chiefs has been Phil Taylor (NT-Baylor) as the potential anchor for their 3-4 defense. Adding depth to the linebacking corps is another need for the Chiefs as they look to defend their AFC West crown.

2010 Record: 9-7

Draft Picks: 18, 50, 61, 82, 89, 183, (201), (234)

The Chargers 2010 season seemed to defy all statistical analysis by any normal methods of determining the caliber of a team. They finished in the top 5 in the league in passing offense, passing defense, sacks, and rushing defense. Nevertheless, a horrendous Special Teams and untimely defensive breakdowns led to a disappointing season where they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Even without Vincent Jackson, they still posted one of the best passing attacks in the league. Jackson's future with the team is still up in the air so it wouldn't be surprising to see the Chargers target a receiver early in the draft. Rookie running back Ryan Matthews wasn't the breakout star that other rookie backs have been in the past, but he has the skill set to develop into a capable back. On defense, the Chargers need to restock their outside linebackers after Shawne "Roid-Rage" Merriman was cut last year.

2010 Record: 8-8

Draft Picks: 48, 81, 113, 148, 181, 219, (214)

Oakland became the first team in NFL history to post an undefeated record in their division and not make the playoffs. The Raiders swept through the AFC West on the backs of a strong running game anchored by Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. Quarterback Jason Campbell wasn't fantastic, but he proved to be a better quarterback than anyone the Raiders had fielded since Rich Gannon. On defense, star corner Nnamdi Asomugha's contract clause enabling him to become a free agent was triggered this year and he can hit the open market once the lockout ends. The Raiders also need help along the offensive line and without a first round draft pick (traded to New England for Richard Seymour) it will be tough for Al Davis and company to-wait, did I just write a paragraph assuming that Al Davis would do something sane during the draft? Yeah, that's not happening.

2010 Record: 4-12

Draft Picks: 2. 36. 46. 67. 186, 189, (247)

Just like that, the Josh McDaniels experiment is over. John Elway takes over the GM position and John Fox was brought in from Carolina as the new head coach of the orange and blue. McDaniels decimated this roster and left a ton of holes. Fox figures to switch the defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3 but will need to pick up multiple pieces through the draft in order to do so. A defensive end to pair with Elvis Dumervil seems to be the prime need, but they also need depth in the secondary, a run-stuffing defensive tackle to anchor the inside, and a running back to complement the oft-injured Knowshon Moreno.

Our buddy Brandon from BroncosBlog.com and one of the architects behind the twitter mock drafts known as Mock One, Mock Two, and Mock Three gives us a report from the wreckage of the McDaniels dynasty. If you have any draft-related questions at all, Broncos or not, he's a great guy to ask on Twitter: @Empulse

1. What are the biggest needs Denver has entering the draft?

Denver's needs are almost exclusively on the defensive side of the ball. Cutting 2 of our starting defensive tackles at the start of the offseason puts DT at the very top of our need list. We also have some severe questions at Defensive End. Dumervil was a sack master his last healthy year, leading the league in sacks, but he played as a stand-up line back in a 3/4 Defense. His more natural postion is at DE with his hand on the ground, but will he be able to slide back to the DE postion after having to learn OLB? The problem at Right DE is similar. Robert Ayers played DE in college and was quite successful. He was drafted to play standing up, and never really figured things out. The jury is out on his ability to play DE in the NFL, as he hasn't played a snap from that position up to this point. Lots of question marks there. The other big question mark is Inside LB. This is a huge hole, and at the moment we have Joe Mays penciled in at MLB. The real problem with that is Joe Mays was tossed out of Philly last year like a day old diaper. Is he really good enough to start at MLB for the Broncos? Again, the jury is out, but the prosecution suspects the answer is a big fat negatory.

2. Do you think Denver will address those needs in the draft or wait for free agency?

I would be shocked if 5 of our 7 picks aren't on the defensive side of the ball. And I wouldn't even be surprised if we select 2 DT's in the first 48 picks. The need is that big. . . So glaring that it very well may happen. The talent at DT this year is tremendously deep. It wouldn't be a reach if a DT is selected at #2 and then at #48. I suspect they won't rely on FA to fill needs. . . Because the truth of the matter is noone has a clue if/when FA happens. I think they may be inclined to try to get their TE and RB via FA if they decide not to fill that position through the draft.

3. What players would you like to see the Broncos target in the draft?

I'm particularly interested in Marcel Dareus and Nick Fairley in the first round. Both are unbelievable talents, and will instantly sore up our weakest postion. I really feel like Dareus is a can't miss, and if he is there at #2 I am about 98% sure that the Broncos pull the trigger and put him in the Orange and Blue.

My other first round interest carries much more risk. Fairley may be one of the best athletes in the draft (considering size, etc)...However, There are three huge questions with Fairley:1> can he keep his attitude in line? I'm putting my money on probably not, but who knows.2> His production is really limited to a single year. Is he a one year wonder, or will he continue to produce like he did in '10?3> Can he keep his weight down? He has had some issues with this in the past, and its a huge concern how a player will respond and react to life in the NFL.

In the second round I'm enamored with the athleticism that Martez Wilson brings to the table. Martez was one of the most athletic MLB's at the combine. His measurables were off the charts, and he truly impressed people with his agility and quickness. Martez (Tez) is a bit of a project in that he has relied almost exclusively on his athleticism to get him by at the College level. He was bigger, stronger and faster than most in his conference, and dominated for that reason. This won't be the case in the NFL. He will need to study much more. He will need to watch film regularly and really become a student of the game. Then, and only then, will he have a chance to be a legitimate option at Middle Line Backer in the NFL.

The last player I'll mention Johnny White. This kid is amazing. He is a bit of a tweener, playing both WR and RB. He kind of reminds me of Percy Harvin. Watching him on tape, I have no idea why he is predicted to be a late 5th-7th round pick, but he is. Do yourself a favor and watch some tape on this kid. He runs like his hair is on fire! He has a respectable 1 cut style to him, and when he sees a hole he really knows how to hit it. I think he would be a value at the end of the 4th, but if things continue the way they are projected he will be an absolute bargain at the start of the 5th round. Don't be sleeping on Johnny White. This kid is one of my favorite sleepers this year!

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